Discuss Pip's views of expectations and how they affect him.

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Introduction

Sean Leahy 10H Miss McCann Great Expectations - Discuss Pip's views of expectations and how they affect him. The novel Great Expectations is focused around the theme of a young male's expectations and how they rule his life. It tells us the effects they have on people and the negative impact they have on Pip's life. The Title to the novel "Great Expectations" totally contradicts the main theme in the book, as the expectations turn out to be not so great after all. The book is split up into 3 sections of Pip's "Great Expectations", all of these sections show us how Pip's life has been affected by these expectations. Throughout the novel we see how expectations have left their mark on Pip's life. Chapter one is were we are introduced to the main character Pip. Our first impression of Pip is that he is na�ve, innocent and lonely young boy, the fact that Pip refers to his mother as "Georgina, wife of the above" tells us that he has received no guidance or teaching in his life and is unaware of his surroundings. Pip is then dramatically changed by his expectations when Pip first meets Mrs Havisham. ...read more.

Middle

Herbert Pocket or Handel is a very similar character to Joe, acting as a second Joe when Pip is in London. He is, although unintentional to Pip, treated as a man who is enslaved by Pip instead of is best friend. The role of Joe and Herbert in relation to Pip's expectations is that they are the kind of people who act as a fallback to Pip if his expectations don't work out. They help Pip realise that his expectations are not all they thought they would be. Often this is by either talking to him, helping him to overcome his current dilemma. About Half way into the book we are introduced to a lawyer called Jaggers, he is a mysterious, cold and serious character who thinks he know what is best for Pip. He is Pips perfect idea of a Gentleman; he has a reputation and money. However he is the complete opposite to Joe. Joe, no matter how happy he is for Pip, does not try to persuade Pip to follow his expectations as he thinks he is fine the way he is, however Jaggers in a way forces Pip to undergo and fulfil his expectations. ...read more.

Conclusion

He finds out that they have named their little son Pip; he is very pleased about this. In the end pip walks out of Satis houses garden hand in hand with Estella and says, "Saw the shadow of no parting from her." In my opinion this tell us that Victorian values were a lot like Pip's expectations, but in the end they aren't all they what seem to be. Overall throughout this book expectations play a big role, we see how they rule Pip's life and how they can affect others in many different ways. We see how Pip's life ends up in a good way and that how expectations can blind others from reality. Money can change anybody and Pip was no exception. When Pip is poor he truly wants to be a gentlemen, he has great expectations for himself. Pip feels embarrassed that his family has no money. Pips pride corrupts him and blinds him from how he is treating Joe. Expectations are extremely significant throughout this novel and they show us what they can do if you are obsessed with them. In Victorian society it was an extremely sought after dream to be wealthy and well respected, Pip was a victim of this view and eventually realised that a gentleman is something more than riches. Total words: 1,277 ...read more.

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